HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH A GIVEAWAY!

Happy New Year Tea Cup Lovers! Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday, No. 94, our first of 2012. January 1st also marks my 4th year of blogging! When I started blogging, it was just a way to share my feelings. I have always journaled, now I had spell check! (A dream come true!) As I reflect on the ups and downs of last year, I am excited about the New Year. I am looking forward to a year that will be filled with God's blessings! I am so grateful for all the wonderful things that happened in the mist of a troublesome year. These good things are what are going through my heart on this day of annual reflection.




Each day I realized more and more, just how much my friends and family mean me and my dependence on them. Thanks to family and friends, I have felt great depths of compassion, love and encouragement. Regardless of what happened to me, my children circled the wagons to protect me. God gave me some amazing son in laws and a new grand baby, Sophia! Thank you for letting me share my crazy life another year! I am so thankful for the life long friends that I have made in Blogland these last four years!



As we start our first Tea Cup Tuesday for 2012, I want to announce a Giveaway, to celebrate my Blogging Anniversary. Is there a better way to start the year? I hope you like this cup. I think this Lusterware beauty is stunning! Rules to follow are below.




I was so lucky to find an Estate Sale this weekend. Just look what I found. This is an amazingly beautiful Aynsley. Love the teal color and the roses. I was very excited to find this. I am not sure if I even have a dozen Aynsley cups. They are so beautiful and fast becoming my favorite cups. (Don't let the Limoges cups know!)




The next cup I also found at this same Estate, it is a Foley. It reminds me of Terri so much. This cup is so her style. Don't you think? I just love it. For $10, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse.





This next cup is a Crown Ducal, Made in England, "Florentine" pattern. Love the fruit around the rim of this cup. I always do white decor for January. I love the crisp look of a winter white.





Did I ever tell you I collect vintage purses? Well, I do. Here are a few I wanted to show you. Sometimes, I forget what I have (a really bad sign!)

Here is this first Mr. Linky for 2012. Please don't forget to visit Terri, I do believe she is also having a Giveaway too. For mine, the rules are as follows:

1. Become a follower
2. Leave a comment, each one counts.
3. Follow me on Facebook
4. Visit my website and leave a comment there.
5. Let me know what you have done.

Enter as often as you like. Noah will pick from his hat (Pirate) the last Tuesday of January! That gives you four weeks to enter.

For now, Happy New Year! Let's believe God for miracles and have a great year together!

Hugs, Martha

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH!

JESUS CHRIST IS BORN! Merry Christmas! This Christmas Week has gone by so quickly. As I look back on this week, it feels like a big blur. It was delightful just the same. It started with Christmas Tea, shared with my two favorite sister-in-laws, Maureen & Kathy! I never take pictures of food, but I just had to show you this. Everything was served by a "food artist" and it looked as good as it tasted.




Of course, there was Christmas Eve Breakfast, were my children and grandchildren opened presents after we shared a delightful breakfast. My daughter, Vanessa and her husband, Kevin always do the cooking and as usually it was a treat! Everyone is a child at Christmas!







That evening we all celebrated Christmas Eve with the entire family. There are a 23 of us. We to go my nephew's home, that he keeps enlarging each year. His home is so large, we all sat on one long table. The view is spectacular and the food is endless. Our family always likes to entertain each other, this year was not exception. We did Karaoke and laughed until we cryed. By the way, the pipe is a prop, my nephew does not smoke!






For Christmas Day, we had our annual Christmas Dinner with our own police officer, Kevin and his partner, as well as, two of LA's finest EMTs! We have been doing this for the past three years and it is so much fun. Noah gets to ride in his father's police car. He also got to put on some of the EMT's clothes. They truly are Los Angeles finest. The best part was the police escort to the Freeway!




I was so tired today I took a 2 hour nap and forgot about Tea Cup Tuesday. If Terri had not gotten hold of me, I could have forgotten completely. I have a few of my favorite Christmas cups to share with you. You have already seen these but, they are worth repeating. First the Spode cups!



The next cup is the red, English, transferware, love it.



The handpainted Germany cup that hangs so beautifully on the tree.



Don't forget to stop by Terri's this week. She is doing a salute to Tea Cup Handles. Here is Mr. Linky. This beautiful card was a handmade gift from my talented friend Terri!



Have a wonderful week. See you next year! I will be having a give away to celebrate by 4th year of blogging!



Hugs, Martha

WISE MEN & WOMEN STILL SEEK HIM!

Can you believe Christmas is going to be here in a few days? So much to do! OK, why is it that when we are at our most busiest time, there is so many wonderful things to see on your blogs? I can just get stuck for hours if I am not careful, peeking into your homes. I am a "Peeking Blogger". If I commented on every blog I looked at this week, I wouldn't have time to sleep. Your homes are just "droolingly" beautiful. Have I told you lately you are amazing? The more I get to know you the more blessed I feel.




Let's get started with this week's party, No 92 no less! My first cup is this vintage Carlton Ware piece made in England. It has a gold center and handle with dark to lighter burgundy colors on the body. Very pretty!




The next cup is a Royal Konigl pr Tettau Cup and Saucer. This cup is Made in Germany, US Zone. It is a cream, burgundy and gold color. It is a trio, perfect for Christmas!




Last cup I am sharing this week is a Old Ivory, Syracuse China called "Romance." It is a lovely Maroon color and is Made in America.




We had our Annual Cookie Making Party at my sister's house yesterday. This is my daughter, Vanessa, son, Kyle and of course Noah! We have been doing this every year for at least 25 years, maybe more, no one can remember. The boys had so much fun!




I know time is short for many of you. Terri and I are so blessed to have been a part of this wonderful "Tea Party" for the past year. Here is this week's linky. May Jesus be your greatest gift this year! May He richly bless you this Christmas. If you would like to know more about Him, email me. It would be my honor to introduce you to God's greatest gift to Man!



Christmas Hugs and Kisses! Martha